Completely Uninstall Valorant: Full Guide

To completely uninstall Valorant, you must remove both the Riot Client and the Vanguard anti-cheat software, not just the game folder. This guide walks you through the full process on Windows, including deleting leftover files and registry entries, so no traces remain.

Why a Standard Uninstall Isn’t Enough

Valorant installs two separate components: the game itself (managed by the Riot Client) and Riot Vanguard, a kernel-level anti-cheat driver that runs at system startup. If you only uninstall the game through Windows Settings or the Riot Client, Vanguard remains active and continues to run in the background. This can cause confusion if you’re trying to free up resources or troubleshoot issues, and it leaves behind a significant amount of data on your drive.

Many users also report that a simple uninstall leaves behind the Riot Client, which still takes up space and may auto-launch. To fully remove Valorant, you need to uninstall both programs in the correct order and then manually clean up any residual folders and registry keys.

Step-by-Step: Uninstall Valorant and Vanguard

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip the Vanguard uninstall, as it is the most common reason for leftover files.

1. Close Valorant and the Riot Client. Right-click the Riot Client icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select “Exit.” Also make sure Valorant is not running in the background (check Task Manager).
2. Uninstall Valorant via Windows Settings. Press Windows + I, go to Apps > Installed apps, search for “Valorant,” click the three dots, and choose Uninstall. Confirm any prompts.
3. Uninstall Riot Vanguard. In the same list, find “Riot Vanguard” and uninstall it. This will also remove the Vanguard driver. If you don’t see it, search for “Vanguard” in the Start menu and run the uninstaller from there.
4. Uninstall the Riot Client. Go back to Installed apps and uninstall “Riot Client.” This removes the launcher that manages all Riot games.
5. Restart your PC. This is important because it ensures the Vanguard driver is fully removed from memory.

After restarting, you should have removed the main components. However, there may still be leftover files in your AppData folder and other locations.

Cleaning Up Leftover Files and Folders

Even after the standard uninstall, some folders may remain. These are typically hidden or in your user directory. To delete them:

• Press Windows + R, type %localappdata% and press Enter. Look for folders named VALORANT, Riot Games, and Riot Client. Delete them.
• In the same Run dialog, type %appdata% and check for any Riot or Valorant folders there.
• Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86). Delete any Riot Vanguard or Riot Games folders that remain.
• Check C:\ProgramData (you may need to enable hidden files in View > Options). Delete the Riot Games folder if it exists.

Be careful when deleting files—only remove folders that are clearly related to Riot or Valorant. If you’re unsure, leave them; they are usually harmless.

Removing Registry Entries (Optional but Thorough)

The Windows Registry stores settings for installed programs. Uninstallers usually remove these, but sometimes entries remain. Editing the registry can be risky if done incorrectly, so back it up first or skip this step if you’re not comfortable.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and look for Riot Game or Valorant. Right-click and delete.
3. In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node, do the same.
4. Also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services for any entry named vgk (the Vanguard driver). If it exists, delete it.

If you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s safer to leave the registry alone. Leftover entries rarely cause problems, but they can be removed with a registry cleaner if you prefer.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Sometimes the uninstall process doesn’t go smoothly. Here are the most frequent problems and their solutions:

• “Vanguard is not installed” error. If you see this when trying to uninstall Vanguard, it may be corrupted. Download the Vanguard uninstaller from Riot’s support site (search for “Vanguard uninstall tool”) and run it.
• Cannot delete files because they are in use. Restart your PC and try again. If the issue persists, boot into Safe Mode (press F8 during startup) and delete the files from there.
• Valorant won’t uninstall from Settings. Try using the Riot Client’s own uninstaller. Open the Riot Client, click your profile icon, go to Settings, and look for “Uninstall” next to Valorant.
• Leftover processes in Task Manager. After uninstalling, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If you see “Riot Vanguard” or “vgk” still running, right-click and End Task, then restart.

What About Reinstalling Later?

If you plan to reinstall Valorant in the future, you don’t need to be as thorough. Uninstalling the game and Vanguard through Windows Settings is enough to free up space and stop background processes. The next time you install, the Riot Client will set everything up fresh.

However, if you’re uninstalling because of a technical issue (like Vanguard causing blue screens), a full cleanup including registry entries is recommended to ensure a clean slate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Valorant delete my account or skins?

No. Your account, skins, and progression are stored on Riot’s servers, not on your computer. Uninstalling the game only removes local files. You can log back in later and everything will be there.

Why does Vanguard stay after I uninstall Valorant?

Vanguard is installed as a separate driver that runs at boot. The game’s uninstaller does not remove it by design, so you must uninstall it separately from Windows Settings or the Riot Client.

Can I just delete the Valorant folder?

Deleting the game folder manually is not recommended because it leaves Vanguard and the Riot Client behind, and the uninstaller will still think the game is installed. Always use the official uninstall process.

Is there a way to uninstall Valorant without restarting?

You can uninstall the game and Riot Client without restarting, but Vanguard requires a restart to fully remove its driver from memory. Skipping the restart may leave the driver active until the next boot.

Will uninstalling Valorant improve my PC’s performance?

It can free up disk space and stop background processes, but the impact on overall performance is usually minimal unless you have a low-end system. Vanguard does use some RAM, but it’s not typically a major resource hog.

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